Dreaming a Dozen Dreams
Part 2: Dream Number One
Biblical Counseling Will Be Scriptural
Welcome to a multi-part Blog on The Future of Biblical Counseling. We need clarity on the issue of what makes biblical counseling biblical. I invite you to join the conversation.
Dream Number One: Biblical Counseling Will Be Scriptural
Yes, I know, “Duh!” But hold that thought. While it seems so logical that biblical counseling would be and should be biblical, theologically and scripturally this is often untrue.
Some who claim to be biblical counselors simply follow a shallow one verse, one problem, one solution mentality and approach. Others who claim to be biblical counselors in actuality rarely use the Bible for developing their approach and practice to counseling.
The Supremacy of Scripture: Colossians 2:2-3, 8-9
Biblical counseling will cling tenaciously to the supremacy of Scripture. In Colossians 2:2-3, 8-9, the Apostle Paul reminds us that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul also warns us not to be taken captive by the empty and hollow so-called wisdom of this world, but instead rely totally upon the fullness of knowledge and insight we have in Christ.
The Sufficiency of Scripture: 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Biblical counseling will cling tenaciously to the sufficiency of Scripture. In 2 Peter 1:3, the Apostle Peter teaches us that we have all that we need for life and godliness. In the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God, Christianity provides us with all we need for godly living. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the Scriptures, rightly interpreted and carefully applied, offer us all-encompassing insight for life—so that the biblical counselor is thoroughly equipped.
The Profundity (Profound Depth) of Scripture: Philippians 1:9-10; Hebrews 4:12-16
Biblical counseling will cling tenaciously to the profundity of Scripture. The Scriptures deal in the most profound ways possible with the real and raw life issues we all face on a daily basis. God’s Word provides the depth of insight and knowledge that empowers our love to abound more and more, and allows us to discern what is best and right (Philippians 1:9-10). The Bible is the sharpest sword in the universe, able to divide and discern the depths of the motivations of the heart (Hebrews 4:12-16).
The Bible provides us with the interpretive categories for making sense of life experiences from God’s perspective. By building our counseling models on Christ’s gospel of grace, we obtain wisdom for bringing people healing hope, the stimulus for change (God’s glory), and the understanding of human motivation that energizes these God-honoring changes.
